The all-new 2019 Volkswagen Touareg has been revealed with the German car maker calling its third-generation flagship SUV its most advanced vehicle yet.
THE ALL-NEW VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG was revealed simultaneously in both Germany and China…a not so subtle hint as to who the vehicle is ultimately aimed at (the biggest Touareg markets are China, Europe and Russia; in that order). The Touareg is now sitting on the same MLB platform as both the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga and is being called its most technologically advanced vehicle to date.
The Touareg debuts the brands new 12-inch digital cockpit which ties in with the 15-inch infotainment system, together it’s called the Innovision Cockpit, there are a raft of new safety systems, and while V6 engines will be standard, a new plug-in hybrid is being developed for the Chinese market…whether it’ll roll out in other markets hasn’t been confirmed.
Sitting on the MLB platform means the Touareg is now longer (up 77mm) and wider (up 44mm) but it’s both lighter (down by 106kg thanks to its mix of materials in construction: 48% aluminium and 52% high-strength steel) and slightly lower than the outgoing model. Luggage capacity has been increased from 697L to an impressive 810L and an electric cargo blind is available.
The initial engine line-up offered will be a V6 diesel in two states of tune (between 170kW and 210kW) with a V6 petrol (270kW) following into “a number of markets” and also a V8 petrol (310kW).
Volkswagen claims, “The Touareg is launching with the largest range of assistance, handling and comfort systems ever to be integrated into a Volkswagen”. These include night vision via a thermal imaging camera, roadwork lane assist which is semi-autonomous steering, lane keeping, acceleration and braking at up to 60km/h – it’s unlikely this technology will be available on Australian vehicles. It also sees the addition of all-wheel steering, front cross traffic alert as well as rear cross traffic alert and camera-based automatic headlights, and a head-up display projected directly onto the windscreen.
Locally, there’s been no word on pricing but it’s likely there’ll be a price hike with all the new gear the Touareg will come with. It’ll roll out across Europe later this year.
